The bills pile up. There's unreimbursed medical costs, a couple of unexpected veterinary bills for your two dogs, clothes for the kids, gas for the cars so you can get to your jobs. And then that variable interest mortgage hits a new high. You put a few more necessities onto the credit card and are now are at $24,950 of your $25,000 debt limit.
So, you go to the bank--the one that sold you the house, and which gladly gave you a mortgage when times were good and it could make a lot of money--and ask for a raise in the credit limit.
But times aren't that good right now, and the bank refuses to raise your credit limit. After all, says the banker, there's no way you could make monthly payments.
You plead that if the bank doesn't raise the credit card limit, you won't be able to survive, that you'll have to default. That means you'll lose your house and, probably, your cars. Your credit rating, once among the best, will plummet even further. Too bad, says the banker. Get another job, he says. One that pays better. Or, maybe work two jobs. Of course, there's no jobs at the bank, or anywhere else. But that's not his problem.
You again plead for help, but the banker isn't interested. It's your fault you're in this mess, he tells you. You spent too much, he coldly explains. Cut spending, and you'll be able to meet your minimum monthly payment--you know, the one with the 13.5 percent interest that goes to the bank--and, well, figure out something. He has no compassion and won't help.
But there may be hope. Another banker comes into the office, hears your story, and wants to raise your debt limit, but the other banker has taken a stand. With you in the office, the two of them talk, argue, and shout loud enough so the other bankers and customers can hear them. It's now 3:55 p.m., and the bank closes in five minutes, at which time the credit card, because of steadily rising interest, will be maxed out.
Finally, the two bankers agree to provide a miniscule amount of help. They will temporarily raise your credit limit, but will now dictate exactly what you can spend, and how you'll spend it.
Since you like hunting, and they like hunting, they'll let you buy all the guns and ammunition you want. But, they can't help you on your health bills, or even lower the insurance premiums and co-pays. And, they can't do much for that inflated mortgage payment. Or to help you find another job.
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